First-quarter aggregate production up 9.7 percent

An estimated 216 million metric tons (Mt) of crushed stone were produced and shipped for consumption in the United States in the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 9.4 percent compared with that of the same period of 2011. The estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2011 was 1.14 billion metric tons (Gt), a slight decrease compared with that of 2010.

The estimated U.S. output of construction sand and gravel produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2012 was 136 Mt, an increase of 10 percent compared with that of the same period of 2011. The estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2011 was 802 Mt, a slight increase compared with that of 2010.

The estimated U.S. output of construction aggregates produced and shipped for consumption in the first quarter of 2012 was 352 Mt, an increase of 9.7 percent compared with that of the same period of 2011. The estimated annual output produced for consumption in 2011 was 1.95 Gt, a slight decrease compared with that of 2010.

The above estimates are based on information reported to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on its quarterly sample survey by construction aggregates producers.

The estimated portland cement consumption increased by 20 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared with that of the first quarter of 2011 and increased by 3 percent for 2011, compared with consumption in 2010. This information is obtained from the USGS monthly survey of U.S. cement producers.

The estimated production-for-consumption of crushed stone in the first quarter of 2012 increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2011. The largest increases were recorded in the West North Central and East North Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 30 of the 46 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Florida and Virginia. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 83.6 Mt and represented an increase of 26 percent compared with that in the first quarter of 2011.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction sand and gravel in the first quarter of 2012 increased from first quarter 2011 levels in seven of the nine geographic divisions. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the New England, West North Central and East North Central divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 35 of the 47 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Arizona, Colorado and Ohio. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 48.6 Mt, which was an increase of 14 percent compared with that in the first quarter of 2011.

The estimated production-for-consumption of construction aggregates in the first quarter of 2012 increased in seven of the nine geographic divisions compared with that sold or used in the first quarter of 2011. The largest increases in percentages were recorded in the West North Central and New England divisions. Production-for-consumption increased in 33 of the 45 states that were estimated. The five leading states were, in descending order of production-for-consumption, Texas, California, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Florida. Their combined total production-for-consumption was 119 Mt and increased 17 percent when compared with that of the same period of 2011.